No Donkey Kong Country Returns sequel currently planned, Tanabe on how Retro became involved
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments
Despite the critical and commercial success Donkey Kong Country Returns has experienced, there are no plans for a sequel at the moment. That’s according to Retro Studio’s president and CEO Michael Kelbaugh, who also said that creating a platformer was quite difficult – moreso than he expected.
In more Donkey Kong-related news, Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe provided some information behind the game’s development. Tanabe said that told Retro Studios were denied a request to work on the franchise over five years ago, but were later given the opportunity to make a Donkey Kong game when the Big N felt the time was right.
Tanabe also commented on the possibility of a sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns:
“I wasn’t even thinking about doing a sequel for Metroid Prime until Retro showed me the last scene in the game, which was near the end of development. I wouldn’t say we won’t do a sequel [for Donkey Kong Country Returns], but we don’t have anything planned at this time.”
Miyamoto says Zelda was plain when he was making it, surprised that it became a mainstream genre
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
The latest edition of Iwata Asks is now available, which focuses on Steel Diver. So, you’re probably wondering why we’re posting Zelda news! Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto briefly touched on the series in their discussion…
Miyamoto: When I was making The Legend of Zelda, it was very plain. (laughs)
Iwata: (laughs)
Miyamoto: I didn’t think that genre would be seen as something so mainstream. I really didn’t expect the response I got when I first made The Legend of Zelda. A world of swords and magic really wasn’t considered mainstream at the time.
Iwata: Was it? Miyamoto: The Neverending Story almost got really popular around that time. It was a world started off with such a message as: “Here kid, Take this sword.” (laughs) In a word, it was plain.
Iwata: In that sense, The Legend of Zelda and Steel Diver are the same to you.
Miyamoto: I think so. But when I said they’re both plain, I only meant it in the sense that they’re not attention-grabbers. I believe they’re the same in the way that they’re both something fun. It’s just a matter of presentation to get more people interested in it. I think the original themes are relatively plain for most of the games.
Iwata: That’s very interesting. People around the world probably think you’re surrounded by famous characters, which you use however you wish. It’s as if, when you create a game, you’ll get some kind of famous character and just plaster it all over to get attention.
Miyamoto: (laughs)
Photos and Captions of Nintendo at the 2011 Game Developers Conference
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo Co. Ltd., delivers a keynote address titled “Video Games Turn 25: A Historical Perspective and Vision” on March 2, 2011 at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo Co. Ltd., showcases the Nintendo 3DS portable video game system at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco on March 2, 2011. The Nintendo 3DS launches in the United States on March 27, 2011 and offers a realistic, immersive 3D gaming experience without the need for special glasses.
Miyamoto interview – 3DS, competition, more
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
A couple of other Zelda tidbits
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
There were two related items other than the Skyward Sword trailer that Satoru Iwata briefly mentioned at his GDC keynote. First, he said that Ocarina of Time 3D will be available in June. Additionally, it was said that Shigeru Miyamoto is preparing… something for Zelda’s 25th anniversary. No word yet on what that is, but perhaps we’ll find out more at E3.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D/Skyward Sword/25th anniversary logos
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments
Photos from Iwata’s GDC 2011 keynote
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Big Nintendo news on the way at GDC?
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
A little pre-GDC buzz for you guys…
“IndustryGamers is getting ready to attend this year’s big GDC keynote address: Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. The word going around industry circles is that Nintendo actually has some fairly big news to reveal.” – IndustryGamers article
Is this really true? Or nothing more than speculation? I’m more curious than ever to watch the keynote!
Iwata on 3DS sales targets, video downloads, Wii successor
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments
Last night, we posted some comments from Satoru Iwata regarding the Wii’s successor. Fortunately, it looks like the translation was pretty much accurate! We now have a direct quote from Iwata about Nintendo’s next home console, as well as information about the 3DS.
Iwata was first asked about 3DS sales targets…
“We don’t have a specific sales target, but we’d like to increase the number of people who experience it to beyond the DS. We’ve equipped it with a 3D camera and so-forth, which can also bring in those who aren’t interested in games.”
Iwata was then asked about video downloads for the 3DS…
“The 3DS will be the first 3D video playback device to reach major penetration. We’ve had many proposals from the film, music and such industries. We’re looking into distributing Hollywood trailers and movies, along with things like 3D reference software.”
Last but not least, here’s the direct quote from Iwata about the Wii’s successor…
“It’s just four years since release. It’s selling over 7 million units a year in North America, so we don’t think it’s at the limit. We’ll make decisions about a successor system at the time when software developers cannot offer surprises (on the Wii).”
Nintendo of America Hires new Vice President of Corporate Affairs
Posted on 13 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Nintendo of America announces the hiring of a new vice president of Corporate Affairs. Cynthia Gordon, a PR expert with more than 20 years of experience in consumer brands, joins the company on March 14. Gordon comes to Nintendo from her position as a vice president at 360 PUBLIC RELATIONS in Boston, where she developed and executed consumer public relations campaigns and contributed to the advancement of the firm’s social media and digital efforts.
Gordon will work from Nintendo’s office in Redwood City, Calif, and will report to the executive vice president of Sales & Marketing, a vacant position that is currently being managed by Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.
